Soldier Held On Suspicion Of Woman's Murder

A serving British soldier is being questioned on suspicion of murder after a woman was stabbed to death.

Ian Lowe, from 1st Battalion the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, is being held in connection with the death of 24-year-old Leanne McNuff in Greater Manchester.

Police were called to a property on Mellor Street in Droylsden by the ambulance service at around 7.45pm on Sunday following reports a woman had been assaulted.

Ms McNuff was taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead a short time later.

A post-mortem examination has concluded that she died from multiple stab wounds.

The 24-year-old soldier has been remanded in custody.

A spokesman for the MoD said: "We can confirm that on 11 March 2012, a serving soldier from 1 Lancs has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

"The matter is subject to an ongoing civil police investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment further whilst this is ongoing."

The MoD confirmed the soldier was not on leave from Afghanistan.

It is understood Lowe is in the same regiment as Sergeant Nigel Coupe, who was one of six soldiers who were killed when their Warrior vehicle struck a huge roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan on March 6.

However, it is not thought that the two men had worked together.

Detective Inspector Graham Brock from Greater Manchester Police 's Major Incident Team said: "Our thoughts are with Leanne's family and friends at this time, who are understandably distraught that their loved one has been taken from them in this way.

"We are in the early stages of the investigation and are working to establish the full circumstances of what has happened.

"I would like to reassure residents that we do not believe there is any danger to the wider community, as we believe this is an isolated incident. We would urge anyone who may have seen or heard anything to contact us."

Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 4357 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 .